As Inter Milan prepares to clash with Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals, a glance back at history reveals a memorable precedent. In the 2009-2010 season, José Mourinho’s Inter Milan stunned Barcelona, first winning 3-1 at the San Siro, then holding off a tense 1-0 defeat at Camp Nou to advance to the final. Despite being down a man from the 28th minute, Inter Milan’s defense held strong, securing a crucial away victory.
Mourinho recently recalled the dramatic series to Marca. “There’s no words to describe what happened… the feeling we had at the end is something only we know.” The Portuguese coach described the first leg as “perfect,” setting the tone for the second. Inter Milan came from behind to win 3-1 at home, thanks to goals from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon, and Diego Milito, overturning Pedro Rodríguez’s early lead for Barcelona.
Mourinho’s Inter Milan eventually went on to claim the Champions League title, defeating Bayern Munich 2-0 in the final at the Santiago Bernabéu. For Simone Inzaghi’s current Inter Milan squad, history could repeat itself. The stage is set for another intense matchup between the two European giants.
Key Moments from the 2009-2010 Semifinals
- Inter Milan wins 3-1 at San Siro: Sneijder, Maicon, and Milito score to overturn Pedro’s early Barcelona goal.
- Barcelona’s Lionel Messi struggles to break down Inter Milan’s defense.
- Inter Milan holds off Barcelona 1-0 at Camp Nou, despite being down a man from the 28th minute.
This upcoming match promises to be just as thrilling, with Inter Milan seeking to mirror their historic success against Barcelona.